Page 62 of Fighting the Odds

“Don’t you worry about that, Sierra. I’ve got my connections. They’ll never find a trace of anyone I kill, so I’ll still be here to make sure you’re okay. I should’ve done a better job of it in the first place.” The last part comes out as a whisper, but I still hear it.

“If you say so.”

We pull up to the window and I drift back into my thoughts as he pays for the order.

I wonder what Cyrus is doing?

Chapter 30

Cyrus

Ihad to stay late at school to make up an accounting test I missed so I couldn’t pick up Sierra. Thankfully, Rico was able to change the time he was going to the school so he could.

I got so busy I didn’t have a chance to tell her until the last minute. I know she was in class, so she probably didn’t get the message. I just hope she wasn’t waiting outside long before Rico found her.

I’m on pins and needles until Rico messages me that he has her, but she seems upset. It’s the confirmation I need to know something happened today. He’s planning to take her out for dinner, so I decide to message the three musketeers. It’s time for us to have a chat.

As soon as I’m done with my test, I’m out the door, heading to my car.

While she was sleeping last night, I got their numbers from her phone. Not my proudest moment, but I’d do it again in a heartbeat. What’s that saying? It’s better to ask for forgiveness than permission.

Phone in my hand, I create a group chat with them. I have to look up every few seconds just to make sure I don’t barrel into someone or trip over something on the ground.

Me: Thought this would be easier in a group chat. But we need to talk. Can you meet?

Braxton: Who is this?

Me: Cyrus. The guy who was at Sierra’s apartment the day the three of you showed up.

Zander: Is she okay? Did something happen?

Braxton: We looked for her after school but couldn’t find her.

I pull my keys out of my pocket as I approach my jeep and unlock the door, climbing in behind the steering wheel. After putting my bookbag in the passenger seat, I start the engine.

Colton: When do you want to meet?

Me: Now!

Me: Are you available?

Braxton: We just need to let our dad know then we can meet. Where do you want it to be?

Me: Somewhere we can talk privately. Maybe eat as well.

Colton: The park on South Street. It’s relatively empty this time of day. We can get some burgers on the way.

Me: That works.

Zander: See you in about twenty minutes.

I sigh. Now all I need to do is see what these guys really want with Sierra and go from there. Once we’re all on the same page, then we can let Sierra in on it. There’s no way in hell I’m ever going to let her get hurt again.

I don’t need GPS. I know exactly what park he’s talking about. Shifting the car into gear, I pull out of the parking lot.

When I pull in, I don’t see them anywhere. But they did say they were getting some burgers. Pulling into a parking spot, I turn my jeep off before getting out and walking across the field to a picnic table.

It’s under a tree and away from the few families watching their kids on the playground. There’s a toddler in the sandbox and then older kids, about Sam’s age, running around, playing tag and climbing on the jungle gym.

---